Publisher Official Monthly Publication of the Kansas Press Association Feb
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The Kansas Publisher Official monthly publication of the Kansas Press Association Feb. 11, 2015 Inside Today Page 2 Jim Pumarlo discusses times when allowing subjects to re- view stories might be wise, and when it is out of the question. Page 3 John Foust says a good listening ear is one of the most important attributes of a good salesperson. Cliff Blackmore, publisher of the Tri-State News in for Internet publication rather than in newspapers. Lis- Elkhart, testifies before a subcommittee on HB 2237, tening in (from back left) were Reps. Larry Campbell, which as written would allow for municipalities to opt John Carmichael, Virgil Peck and John Whitmer. Page 4, 9 Read snippets from the written KPA members testify on HB 2237 he Kansas Press Association showed up in Larry Campbell, John Whitmer and John Carmi- testimony of almost three dozen force this week to oppose House Bill 2237, a chael. Peck is the subcommittee chair. Kansas Press Association mem- bill that would allow municipalities to choose Five KPA members spoke to the subcommittee bers on HB 2237. T either a newspaper or a website for their official on Tuesday, pointing out the many problems that Page 8 publications. would caused by giving cities and counties an option The public notice bill, submitted in the House Lo- on where their notices would be published. Read Doug Anstaett’s testimony cal Government Committee, would change laws that Representing the association were Jeanny Sharp, to a House subcommittee in op- have stood in place for well over a century. Ottawa Herald, David Powls, Holton Recorder, position to HB 2237. On Tuesday, KPA presented 31 different sets Machelle Smith, Sentinel-Times (Galena) and of written testimony to a subcommittee formed by Cliff Blackmore, Tri-State News in Elkhart. Also KPA Calendar committee chair Steve Huebert of Valley Center . providing oral testimony was Doug Anstaett, KPA Members of the committee are Reps. Virgil Peck, See HB 2237 on Page 5 March 9-15 National Sunshine Week. Register for 2015 KPA convention March 18-19 he 2015 annual convention of the Kansas ton Outstanding Mentor Award, Boyd Community The National Newspaper Press Association is just two months away, Service Award and, of course, the results of the Association’s “We Believe Tand today’s Publisher includes registration Awards of Excellence competition. in Newspapers” Leadership forms and the schedule of events. Registration forms are included with the Summit, Marriott Crystal City, It is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April Publisher. Arlington, Va. 17 and 18, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Junc- Activities during convention week will begin tion City. with a KPA Board of Directors meeting at 6 p.m. April 17-18 In addition to an action-packed program, we on Thursday, April 16. Kansas Press Association an- will be announcing inductees into the Kansas The Kansas Newspaper Foundation Board of nual convention, Courtyard by Newspaper Hall of Fame and the winners of the Marriott, Junction City. Clyde M. Reed Jr. Master Editor Award, the Gas- See CONVENTION on Page 3 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2014-15 KPA Board Article reviews sometimes OK; Dan Thalmann President just be aware of ramifications Washington County News t’s probably happened to every journalist ception to information and quotes supplied [email protected] as least once. You’ve just completed an by other individuals contacted for the story. Susan Lynn interview, one that took an extra coaxing You can soon find yourself in a quagmire. I First Vice President to land. As you’re wrapping up, the subject Newspapers frown on a source sign- Iola Register asks, “Could I see a copy of the story before ing off on a story for that basic reason. The [email protected] it goes to print?” source can take control of the story if the The story touched on a sensi- reporter isn’t careful. In some Sarah Kessinger tive subject, and the person already markets, there is a genuine fear of Second Vice President had asked to have his quotations the source taking the story to the Marysville Advocate read back to him over the phone. competition. [email protected] We obliged on that request, but On a practical level, it can be declined on a personal preview of too time-consuming, especially M. Olaf Frandsen the entire story. if it’s done regularly, and it has Treasurer We never received additional the potential to raise havoc with Salina Journal feedback, so assumed the person publication deadlines. Do it once [email protected] was satisfied. –— and the word gets out — and It’s routine policy at most it might come to be expected as Dena Sattler newspapers not to let a source read Jim Pumarlo routine practice. At some point that Past President a story ahead of time. But by no likely will lead to an argument be- Garden City Telegram means is it an absolute rule. We evaluated tween the writer and the source. That could [email protected] requests and circumstances on a case-by- undermine a relationship worse than if the case basis. reporter issued a blanket refusal to show any John Baetz There can be some advantages to having stories ahead of time. Northwest District Director Lincoln Sentinel-Republican an article reviewed, especially when it deals Editors face the most difficult of predica- [email protected] with complex, technical subjects in fields ments when sources demand their “right” to such as business, medicine and science. Edi- review a story — after the fact — as a req- Position Open tors and reporters would much rather correct uisite for publication. Your initial response, Central District Director an error in fact or clarify what otherwise justifiably so, may well be, “You agreed to might be a confusing the interview. We’re Peter Cook section in advance running the story.” Daily Director rather than be red-faced There can be some No doubt, you’re on Parsons Sun after the fact. advantages to having an solid ground legally to [email protected] It’s also worthwhile article reviewed, especially publish the story. But to consider the source. community journal- Denice Kuhns We’d be more open to when it deals with com- ists should think twice Southwest District Director considering a prepub- plex, technical subjects about the ethical Meade County News lication review when ramifications. Pay [email protected] dealing with individu- ... Editors and reporters attention to balancing als not accustomed to would much rather cor- your right to report the Travis Mounts dealing with the press. rect an error in fact or news with the impact Non-Daily Director Public officials and on the relationships of Times-Sentinel Newspapers other individuals who clarify what otherwise your sources — your [email protected] were regularly in the might be a confusing sec- everyday customers, news didn’t get very far your friends and neigh- Scott Stanford tion in advance rather Legislative Director in their requests. bors. Finding com- than be red-faced after the Lawrence Journal-World If you do share mon ground will pay [email protected] a story in advance, fact. long-term dividends for it’s good practice to everyone in your com- Andy Taylor stipulate that the review munity. Southeast District Director is solely for purposes of accuracy. Sources Montgomery County Chronicle should not expect to be making “editorial” Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides [email protected] suggestions such as reframing the focus of training on Community Newsroom Suc- the story, or adding or eliminating a quote. cess Strategies. He is author of “Votes and Position Open It’s one thing if a story is written from a Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Northeast District Director single source — for example, a personality Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judg- profile — and that person is simply review- ment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive ing his or her exchange with the reporter. Issues in a Small-Town Newspaper.” The greater hazard in allowing someone to He can be contacted at www.pumarlo. sign off on a story is if the source takes ex- com. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 3 No surprise: listening is a crucial sales skill yle is an advertising manager who un- Let’s take a closer look at Lyle’s listening 4. Attentive: “Now we’re getting some- derstands the value of listening. “One breakdown: where,” he said. “This is where the listener Lof my first bosses talked incessantly,” pays close attention to the speaker. It be- he told me. “She boasted about her intelli- 1. Ignore: “Although this is not listen- comes a dialogue, where the listener picks up gence and acted like no one else’s ideas were ing in a technical sense, it’s a response to a details and asks for clarification.” worth considering. Every now and then – listening situation,” Lyle said. “Ignoring a usually in staff meetings – she’d say, ‘I’m not person who is speaking 5. Empathic: “This is a good listener,’ then she’d keep on talking. is totally unacceptable, When you empathize the highest level,” Lyle “One day, she both in one-on-one and said. “Some people call announced that the in group settings.” with another person, you it reflective listening. secret to being a good This can be seen as understand their situation When you empathize listener was to sit on a form of punishment.